This volume brings together Atul Kohli's essays published over the last twenty-five years. They are organized in three sections, each section representing a distinct theme-political change; political economy; and politics and development in select states. The introductory essay provides an 'umbrella' for these essays, giving the volume a significant and useful coherence. This essay accomplishes two intellectual tasks-outlines the state-society frame of reference that underlies much of the author's published work; and provides an overview of the author's interpretation of broad political and economic changes in India, especially in the post-Nehru period. It also provides references to other relevant works not included in this volume, and then situates the specific essays in the volume within the broader changes.